Solid state chemistry is an important arm of inorganic chemistry with strong connections to solid state physics and materials science. In the last 60 years the importance and scope of solid state chemistry has grown in response to the continuing challenge to discover new materials and understand, control, and predict the structures and properties of solids. Of particular interest is the synthesis of new compounds with enhanced physical response. The many successes in the preparation of materials with unique electronic, optical, magnetic and catalytic properties are a clear testament to the vitality and importance of solid state chemistry to materials science.

Today, researchers in this field can be found in numerous scientific areas including Materials Science and Engineering, Ceramics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mineralogy/Geology, and Condensed Matter Physics. The inherently multidisciplinary nature and breadth of solid state chemistry provides the intellectual basis for its continuing vitality. The well-attended Gordon Research Conferences, held in even years in the U.S. and in odd years in Europe, continue the precedent of bringing together researchers from diverse backgrounds, who study a variety of materials types, to discuss the latest advances and challenges in solid state chemistry.

Although the 2008 meeting will feature a broad set of oral and poster presentations on a variety of current topics, one theme that will receive some emphasis is solids for energy conversion and conservation emphasis will also be give to materials synthesis and discovery. This problem broadly impacts not only solid state chemistry research, but cuts across a number of disciplines such as physics, material science and engineering.

In the spirit of the GRC concept, the intent of this meeting is to promote the exchange of ideas and the building of strong relationships among industrial, academic, and government researchers working on the frontiers of the field. Speakers and poster presenters are explicitly encouraged to emphasize advances, unpublished work, new ideas, and speculations for the future on a variety of current topics. The organizers strongly encourage active contribution to discussions and participation in poster sessions, which offer an excellent opportunity for presenting new and exciting research.